Square Enix is going large for FFXV. Multiple collector's editions, Florence + the Machine for the title track.

After nearly a decade of tumultuous development, Final Fantasy XV (née Final Fantasy Versus XIII) has a worldwide release date for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One: September 30, 2016.

Not only that, but publisher Square Enix is going all-out with promotion for the long-awaited game by also announcing a strange Platinum Demo that's available to download on PS4 and Xbox One right now; a free, five-part anime series called Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV that's going out on YouTube (you can watch the first episode here); a full-blown CG movie called Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV; and a FFXV-themed pinball game for Android and iOS called Justice Monsters Five. Plus, there are two collector's editions of the game, the priciest of which—the Ultimate Edition—will go for a cool £189.99 ($269.99) and will be limited to 30,000 units worldwide. UK artist Florence + the Machine is handling the title track with a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me."

So, where to start? How about the Platinum Demo, which—unlike its preorder-only counterpart Episode Duscae—isn't taken from the main game at all, and is instead a standalone experience complete with its own odd story. FFXV protagonist Noctis stars, but as a young boy, where he encounters recurring guardian/summon Carbuncle, a fox-like creature that can only communicate using a smartphone. You shrink down and drive toy cars, collect gems, and turn into an adult to battle a boss. The crystals you collect unlock panels that offer up weapons and items, change the time of day, and alter weather effects to showcase the game's fancy engine.

Platinum Demo trailer.

Few, if any of these mechanics will be in the full game, but there's an opportunity to test out the battle system—albeit only with a single character—which is a hybrid of the menu-based systems of older games and the action-based ones of the Kingdom Hearts series. Those who complete the Platinum Demo will receive Carbuncle to use in the main game as a free DLC character.

As if a FFXV release date and demo weren't enough excitement for the hardened FF fan (read: me, the most excited person in the world right now), there's also a full-length CGI feature film on the way due for release on Blu-ray and digital download sometime before the game arrives. Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV stars Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) as King Regis, Lena Headey (300, Game of Thrones) as Princess Luna, and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as Kingsglaive soldier Nyx. The plot revolves around the evil Niflheim trying to steal a crystal from the "magical kingdom" of Lucis. Naturally, this results in some epic battles. And also there's a king, and a prince, and a wedding.

Hopefully Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV will fare better than the technically brilliant, but weakly scripted Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, which was released way back in 2001.

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV trailer.

The free anime series, Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV, is something of a prequel to the game, with its five episodes delving into the "extraordinary friendships between crown prince Noctis and his three comrades." The first 12-minute episode is available to watch now, with subsequent episodes being released in the run-up to FFXV's launch. I haven't had a chance to watch the first episode yet, but at first glance the animation itself looks pretty neat, while it also uses the original Japanese voice actors with subtitles—because dubs are sacrilege don't you know.

Further Reading

Finally, there are the collector's editions of the game. Those who have already plunked down £43.99 ($59.99) for preorder, or who preorder now, will receive the "Day One Edition," which includes an exclusive "Masamune" downloadable sword to use in-game. Those with a little more cash to splash can pick up the £69.99 ($89.99) "Deluxe Edition," which includes steelbook packaging along with a bonus outfit, weapon, and skin for Noctis' car.

For the ultimate in Final Fantasy bragging rights, though, you need the "Ultimate Collector's Edition." Limited to 30,000 units worldwide, the £189.99 ($269.99) set includes a hardcover art book, a soundtrack, an exclusive Play Arts Kai Noctis figure, four in-game item packs, and the same bonus content as the Deluxe Edition.

The Ultimate Collector's Edition will be exclusive to the Square Enix Online Store, and will also include a mysterious sixth episode of the Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV anime that won't be released online. Well, until someone rips it and whacks it on YouTube, which I estimate will take approximately 0.5 seconds from someone opening the shrink wrap.